STRUT- Seedhill

In association with the EVOLVE project lead by RIG Arts in partnership with One Ren, Williamsburgh Housing Association; and Feral.

OUTDOOR DANCE PARADE COMES TO STREETS OF SEEDHILL – PAISLEY
Fri 18^th February / 6pm – 7pm

STRUT is a night time outdoor performance and mobile projection parade by visual theatre makers MHz which comes to Seedhill on Fri 18th February in partnership with the EVOLVE Project, delivered by RIG Arts in partnership with Williamsburgh Housing Association, One Ren; and Feral.   

STRUT is a night time outdoor performance and mobile projection parade by visual theatre makers MHz featuring  5 local dance heroes with a connection to Seedhill and Paisley who will perform their personal choreographies in their own dance styles.

STRUT is designed as a procession of outdoor dance performances partnered with stunning large scale building mapped projections for audiences to encounter from their windows and doorsteps.  The rotating one-performer parade weaves through the streets, giving the spectators time to watch several dances, and show their appreciation by cheering, flickering their lights and wave to their neighbours before the procession has moved away.  As residents peek out their windows, video-mapped projections with upscaled images of our local dancers come to frame the spectators’ windows on both side of the street. These talented movers and shakers were selected from a wide-ranging Open Call, with the help of a community panel of judges.

STRUT-  Seedhill Dancers
*Northern Soul enthusiast Tommy Codona (62) has been dancing since 1976 when he discovered that he had a natural talent.  Dance has been his main hobby and pastime ever since – traveling across the UK to attend events where he can indulge his passion for dance.

*Rudy Mbunzama (33) dances HipHop, Breaking, Krump, Popping, Locking, House, Afrobeat & Freestyle.  In 2002 he moved to Scotland from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has honed his talents performing in the streets of Glasgow and Paisley previously studying dance at Reid Kerr College in Paisley.

*15 year old Ashton Bradley dances in a variety of different styles from commercial and jazz to lyrical and ballet. He has many connections to Seedhill; both his Gran and Dad used to live on Bank Street and grew up in the local area.

* Caitlin Bonnar (17) is a contemporary dancer.  She regularly trains in a variety of styles at Jennifer Scott Dance School in Paisley. For as long as she can remember she has also spent her Friday or Saturday nights in the Lagoon Leisure Centre Pool in Seedhill.

*12 year old Alannah Danielle Sutherland has been dancing since she was 4 years old. She is currently learning 6 styles of dance including ballet, tap, modern, jazz, hip hop and contemporary.

The STRUT performance will take place on the streets of Seedhill between 6pm and 7pm on Fri 18th February followed by a free evening community event outdoor film screenings, arts activities, face painting and warm food for local residents at McKerrell St Playpark between 7pm and 9pm. Once again, ROAR – Connections for Life are partnering with EVOLVE to deliver the community event and food is provided by the Ladyburn Diner. 

STRUT harnesses the power of freestyle dance as a universal expression of freedom, joy and sense of belonging.  Establishing meaningful points of connection between neighbors and a celebration of Seedhill and Paisley’s dynamic community spirit.

MHz Directors Bex Anson and Dav Bernard said: 

“Fresh from the acclaimed premiere of our STRUT project performed in Govanhill and Pollockshields in October 2021 as part of Tramway’s Dance International Glasgow programme, we can’t wait to present our new cast of amazing dancers connected to Seedhill and Paisley.

This upbeat show is perfect to get the neighborhood residents dancing in the streets in a celebration of local talent and community spirit.”

Rebecca Livesey-Wright, Project Coordinator, EVOLVE and RIG Arts said “We’re so excited to be teaming up with Feral Arts, MHz and the local community to bring another amazing evening of fun to Seedhill. Our previous 2 fun days have been a great success so we can’t wait to celebrate STRUT with more fun, games and art” 

Tommy Codona, STRUT Community Dancer said: “I’ve been dancing for over 40 years after discovering the vibrant nightlife in the clubs of Paisley and Glasgow. I’m really looking forward to taking part in STRUT; its a a chance to show off my inner exhibitionism as well as being loads of fun, and, will be a great event for families and the local community to attend.”

EVOLVE is an 18 month project delivered by RIG Arts in partnership with Williamsburgh Housing Association and Renfrewshire Leisure, with and for residents and community members of Seedhill, Paisley. The project is offering free community get togethers for Seedhill full of creative activities to celebrate local identity and community pride and is open to everyone. They offer biweekly workshops, fun day events with a focus on creativity, community building and skill-sharing.